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Updated
09/04/2020 |
Jesus, Keep
Me Near the Cross
Fanny Crosby |
"Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross"
was written by Fanny Crosby (see
Close to Thee for biography) , probably the most
prolific hymnist in history. Though blinded by an
incompetent doctor at six weeks of age, she wrote over 8,000
hymns. About her blindness, she said:
It seemed intended by the
blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life,
and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly
sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I
might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been
distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about
me.
In her lifetime, Fanny Crosby was
one of the best known women in the United States. To this day,
the vast majority of American hymnals contain her work.
When
Fanny died, her tombstone carried the words, “Aunt Fanny”
and “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste
of glory divine.”
The tune is by
William Howard Doane (1832-1915)
(see
I Am Tine, O Lord for a biography) who collaborated with
Fanny Crosby on numerous hymns. |
Lyrics by Fanny Crosby
|
Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
Refrain
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near
the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
Refrain |
Near the cross! O Lamb of
God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.
Refrain
Near the cross I’ll watch
and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
Refrain
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